Automated retail kiosk with changeable presentation formats

ABSTRACT

An automated retail kiosk or vending machine that can vend working cellular handsets and that uses changeable presentation formats. The kiosk is generally an automated retail kiosk that can deliver primarily prepaid wireless products and services such as prepaid cellular handsets, prepaid cellular and long distance calling plans and E-pins, accessories like ear buds, phone holsters, SIM backup devices, cables and the like. In addition the kiosk or vending device can optionally provide a complete array of banking services including check cashing, prepaid debit cards, transfer of funds from debit card to debit card and many other services. An advertisement screen can play continuous or targeted advertising. The kiosk or vending device can change how it looks by accepting changeable front plates or housings, and it can communicate wirelessly over a network and be managed from a central location.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of retail sales bykiosk and more particularly to an automated retail kiosk vending machinethat can vend cellular telephones, E-pins and accessories as well asprovides an advertising screen and banking services and that haschangeable presentation formats (external appearances).

2. Description of the Prior Art

Vending machines that vend various items are known in the art such ascola machines, candy machines and the like. In addition, there arekiosks or vending machines that vend telephone card minutes such as thatdescribed by Sorenson et al. in U.S. published application number2006/0108414 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,108. There are also numerous kiosksthat provide banking and ATM services. Generally these kiosks are notdesigned to be attractive or be able to change their presentationformat, but rather are either rectangular boxes or are simply computerterminals and video monitors.

Kiosks can also be used to originate subscriber accounts or add minutesto existing accounts. An example of this is taught by Gary in U.S.published application number 2007/0124164. As with the previousexamples, Gary does not teach making the looks of the kiosk relate tovended products or to be able to change how the kiosk looks. None ofthese examples allow the kiosk to vend a cellular telephone.

It would be advantageous to have a kiosk or vending machine that hasexchangeable presentation formats as to how it looks (for example,rectangular or shaped like a cellular telephone, etc.) in order torelate to what it vends and therefore attract customers, where the kioskvends actual working cellular telephones along with accessories andcalling plans or E-pins as well as displaying a large advertisingscreen. This kiosk could additionally provide a variety of standardbanking services such as check cashing, cash withdrawal, wire transfer,bill paying and any other banking services such as ATM.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a kiosk or vending machine that canvend working cellular handsets and accessories, interactive electronictelephone cards, as well as optionally provide banking services, andthat can also present different appearances or formats. The kiosk isgenerally an automated retail vending machine that delivers primarilywireless products, accessories and services; however, it can alsodeliver any conventional product or service. The kiosk normally offersan entire suite of products and services like prepaid cellular handsets,prepaid cellular and long distance calling plans, E-pins and accessorieslike ear buds, phone holsters, SIM backup memory devices, cables,Bluetooth headsets and the like. In addition the kiosk can optionallyprovide a complete array of banking services including check cashing,prepaid debit cards, transfer of funds from debit card to debit card andother services. When services are prepaid, there is no need for creditchecks, contracts or deposits. The normally accepted forms of paymentcan be cash, debit card, credit card and certain checks. Security can beprovided by scanning driver's licenses, fingerprints and photographs.The kiosk of the present invention normally communicates wirelessly overa network and can be managed from a central location. Multiple kioskscan thus be conveniently managed remotely.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Certain embodiments of the present invention are shown in the followingfigures:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of an embodiment with a differentpresentation format.

FIG. 2B shows a kiosk with a different presentation format.

FIG. 3 shows schematically some of the internal parts of the embodimentof FIG. 1 or 2A-2B.

FIG. 4 shows a system of kiosks of the present invention incommunication with management and support functions using the internet.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view that illustrates a presentation formatmethod.

FIG. 5B shows the method of FIG. 5A from a side view.

Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid inunderstanding the present invention. The scope of the present inventionis not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to kiosks or vending devices that vendactual working cellular telephones as well as plans, minutes, E-pins andaccessories. These kiosks can also have interchangeable presentationformats by which the same machine can be made to look different bychanging face plates or other parts of the kiosk.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention with a format 1 thatlooks like a particular type of cellular telephone. A primary feature isan advertising screen 2 where continuous or targeted advertisementsnormally run. A typical kiosk can accept cash, have a touch screen 4 forentering private information and have a dispenser for vending actualtelephones and accessories. An optional camera 3, fingerprint reader 5,check imaging device 8, bill acceptor 9 and keyboard 10 can be seen. Thekiosk contains a vending area 11 where handsets and accessories can bevended.

Turning to FIG. 2A, the kiosk can be seen with a different presentationformat 1 that looks like a different type of cellular telephone. Again,the kiosk includes an advertising screen 2, an entry screen 4 such as atouch screen, a keyboard 10, a camera 3, a fingerprint reader 5, a carddispenser 6, a check imaging device 8, a combination or separate receiptprinter 7, a bill acceptor 9 and a telephone vending port 11. FIG. 2Bshows a different presentation format for the kiosk of FIG. 2A. Theembodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2B can optionally add or omit items fromthe above list. For example, if no banking services are to be provided,the check imaging device may not be needed. Particular embodiments ofthe present invention can include various combinations of theabove-named features.

The kiosk or vending device of the present invention can act as atotally stand-alone unit to vend actual working cellular telephones,either as paid-up or in conjunction with calling plans. GSM telephonescan exit the machine with a programmed SIM card that allows them to workimmediately. CDMA telephones normally need to be programmed by making atelephone call to a particular number after vending. This can be done bythe consumer immediately after purchase. It is within the scope of thepresent invention to optionally perform this service for a CDMAtelephone in the kiosk during the process of vending.

The kiosk or vending device of the present invention can also be used tovend wireless accessories such as SIM reader devices, earpieces, cables,holsters, Bluetooth headsets and any other telephone accessory. Someembodiments of the invention can also vend unrelated items that might beof interest to the consumer such as prepackaged drugs and banking andmoney collection services like paying of traffic or parking fines, billpayment and any other vending or fund collection service.

In particular the automated retail kiosk of the present invention canoffer an entire category of prepaid products and services in addition toprepaid handsets that include prepaid cellular and long distance callingplans, E-pins and optional financial services like bill payment, prepaidcredit cards and check cashing. Successful check cashing can cause thepayout to be in the form of a prepaid credit card. As previously stated,the kiosk of the present invention can vend prepaid GSM or CDMAhandsets, bundled accessories like ear buds, car chargers, leatherholsters, Bluetooth accessories and SIM card backup devices. Inaddition, the device can generally vend prepaid mobile and long distanceservice such as $10, $20, $30, $50 and $100 E-pins as well as any otherdenomination. In addition it can optionally provide cash to a new debitcard, debit card to debit card transfer, bill paying such as utilitybills, and check to debit card transfer.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, a user-friendly touchscreen display can guide the user through the purchasing process. Theconsumer can choose from a variety of choices including wirelesshandsets, airtime services, long distance, roaming, text messaging,voice mail, caller ID, call forwarding exactly like postpaid servicesexcept that there would be no contract, no credit check and no deposit.It should be noted that while the kiosk of the present invention mayprimarily be used to vend prepaid items and features, it could very wellbe used to also vend standard plans and features. Any type of vending iswithin the scope of the present invention.

An important feature of the present invention is advertising. Thisfeature presents itself in two ways: first the way the machine looks(the presentation format), and second through an advertising screen thatcan run continuous paid advertisements such as loop-advertisements. Thefirst feature allows the machine to have changeable front plates orother parts to tailor its look and feel. The same kiosk could be made tolook like a cellular telephone, a bank ATM, a candy machine, drug storeor any other presentation format. A particular service provider's namecan also appear on the exterior of the changeable plate. In particular,the kiosk of the present invention can be equipped with a front-loadingvending apparatus. A remote station can send advertisements to a largenumber of kiosks or vending machines on a network. Each machine can runthe same advertisement, or different machines could be sent differentadvertisements.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of possible internal hardware features that couldbe found in a typical kiosk of the present invention. A computer 12controls the device and communicates electrically with a wirelesscommunications interface 13 that allows the kiosk to communicatewirelessly with remote stations. Wireless communication can be into alocal area network or by cellular telephone call or by any otherwireless technique. A particular form of communication is for the kioskto wirelessly communicate with a gateway into the internet, and then usethe internet to communicate with an ultimate destination. A backup landline can optionally be used in case of difficulty in completing wirelesscommunication.

The kiosk or vending machine shown in FIG. 3 also can contain anadvertisement screen 2, a touch screen 4, a fingerprint reader 5, acamera 3, a check and license imaging device 8, a bill acceptor 9,keyboard 10, payment and scanning hardware 8, 9 and a vending mechanism11. In addition, a data storage device 19 stores programs for thecomputer 12 as well as sales data and accounts. The vending mechanism 11can be adapted to be reloaded and/or replenished without opening it. Inthis manner, the machine can be serviced from the outside. The kiosk ofFIG. 3 can also optionally contain an ATM machine.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of several of the kiosks or vending machinescommunicating wirelessly into the internet where they send and receivedata to and from different locations depending on need. Communicationcan optionally take place with a check verification service, a bankservice provider and a telephone plan provider (for non-prepaid plans).In addition, it is very desirable to manage a fleet of kiosks from acentral location from a central back office. This office can keep trackof sales as well as update an inventory log or database so that atechnician can know for example when a particular kiosk needs servicingor is running out of a particular vended item. The entire communicationshown in FIG. 4 can take place wirelessly; however, the most efficientand preferred way is to have the communication take place wirelesslyonly as far as an internet access point where further securecommunication can continue using known techniques. Another preferredcommunications method is a direct, secure cellular telephone call.Generally all communication to and from the kiosk should be accomplishedsecurely using cryptographic techniques and secure protocols known inthe art. Each kiosk can also optionally have back-up wired land linetelephone service. Communications can be with numerous providersapplication program interface (API) so that communication and servicescan be obtained according to the supplier's preferred protocol orformat. A central station can optionally send advertisements to a numberof different connected locations. Different locations could be sent thesame or different advertisements for display.

FIGS. 5A-5B show a perspective and side view of a method of presentingformats. The kiosk can have main body 20 which contains all of theinternal parts and a removable face 1 represents a changeable format.Different faces 1 can be placed on the body 20 for different locationsor vending situations. FIGS. 5A-5B also shows a vending slot 11 and anadvertisement screen 2.

Several descriptions and illustrations have been provided to aid inunderstanding the present invention. One of skill in the art willrealize that numerous changes and variations are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes andvariations is within the scope of the present invention.

I claim:
 1. An automated retail vending device comprising: a vendingport adapted to vend and/or replenish handheld appliances a touchscreen; a bill acceptor; a card reader; a camera; a computer runningcomputer software electrically coupled to said vending port, said touchscreen, said bill acceptor, said camera and said card reader; whereinsaid software guides a user through purchase of a handheld appliancefrom said vending port using said touch screen and said bill acceptor orsaid card reader for payment, and said camera provides a photograph ofsaid user; and wherein said device has changeable presentation formats.2. The automated retail vending device of claim 1 further comprisingwireless communication with a remote location.
 3. The automated retailvending device of claim 1 further adapted to replenish said vending portwithout opening said vending port.
 4. The automated retail vendingdevice of claim 1 further comprising a fingerprint reader operationallycoupled to said computer.
 5. The automated retail vending device ofclaim 1 wherein said vending device receives advertisements from aremote location for display.
 6. The automated retail vending device ofclaim 1 wherein said changeable presentation format is shaped like ahandheld telephone or media device.
 7. An automated retail vending kioskcomprising, in combination: a vending port adapted to vend and/orreplenish consumer retail items; a touch screen; a bill acceptor; a cardreader; a camera; a wireless communication port; a computer runningcomputer software electrically coupled to said vending port, said touchscreen, said bill acceptor, said wireless communication port, saidcamera and said card reader; wherein said vending port is adapted toreplenish said vending port with out being opened; wherein said softwareguides a user through purchase of a consumer item from said vending portusing said touch screen and said bill acceptor or said card reader forpayment, and said camera provides a photograph of said user; whereinsaid kiosk also vends prepaid debit cards; and wherein said kiosk haschangeable presentation formats; and wherein said kiosk communicates viasaid wireless communication port with a remote location; wherein saidchangeable presentation format is shaped like a handheld telephone ormedia device.
 8. The automated retail vending device of claim 7 furthercomprising a providing a digital advertisement on a screen.
 9. Theautomated retail vending device of claim 8 wherein said kiosk receivessaid advertisements from a remote location for display.
 10. Theautomated retail vending device of claim 7 further comprising afingerprint reader coupled to said computer.
 11. The automated retailvending device of claim 7 wherein said retail consumer item is a prepaidcellular telephone.
 12. The automated retail vending device of claim 7wherein said device contains a receipt printer.
 13. The automated retailvending device of claim 7 wherein said device contains check scanner.